Method and apparatus for voice amplitude feedback in a communications device

Abstract

A mobile telecommunication device can include voice signal monitoring. A characteristic of a signal produced in the telecommunication device can be monitored that is directly or indirectly indicative of a volume of a user's voice spoken into the device. A comparator can be provided for comparing the characteristic or characteristics to one or more threshold values. The comparator can be comprised of electronic circuitry, software or a combination of the two. In any case, an alerting system is provided that is responsive to the output of the comparator, for automatically alerting the user of the device when the characteristic is outside a desired range.

1 . A method for guiding a user of a mobile telecommunication device to a desired voice volume, comprising: 
 monitoring at least one characteristic of a signal produced in a telecommunication device that is directly or indirectly indicative of a volume of a user's voice spoken into the device;    responsive to said monitoring step, automatically alerting said user of said device when said characteristic is outside a desired range.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising automatically comparing said characteristic to at least one threshold to determine if said characteristic is within said desired range.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising selecting said at least one threshold value to correspond to a maximum or minimum volume level of said user's voice.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising selecting said maximum volume level to correspond to a minimum required volume necessary for obtaining a predetermined quality of communication performance from said telecommunications device.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising selecting said maximum volume level to a predetermined value selected to minimize the extent to which the user's voice will be heard by persons who are physically located in the user's vicinity.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said alerting step comprises generating at least one signal detectable by said user and selected from the group consisting of a visual, audible and tactile signal.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising selecting said alerting step to include producing an audible tone in an earpiece of said mobile telecommunications device.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising selecting said alerting step to include vibrating a handset comprising said mobile telecommunication device.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising automatically selectively determining said at least one threshold.  
   
   
       10 . A mobile telecommunication device, comprising: 
 voice signal monitoring means for monitoring at least one characteristic of a signal produced in said telecommunication device that is directly or indirectly indicative of a volume of a user's voice spoken into the device;    comparator means for comparing said at least one characteristic to at least one threshold value; and    alerting means responsive to said comparator means, for automatically alerting the user of said device when said characteristic is outside a desired range.    
   
   
       11 . The mobile telecommunications device according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one threshold value corresponds to a preferred maximum volume level of said user's voice.  
   
   
       12 . The mobile telecommunications device according to  claim 11 , wherein said maximum volume level is approximately the least volume necessary for obtaining a predetermined quality of communication performance from said telecommunications device.  
   
   
       13 . The mobile telecommunications device according to  claim 10 , wherein said alerting means produces an alert signal that is selected from the group consisting of visual, audible and tactile.  
   
   
       14 . The telecommunication device according to  claim 10 , further comprising means for automatically selectively determining said at least one threshold.  
   
   
       15 . A method for guiding a user of a mobile telecommunication device to a desired voice volume, comprising: 
 monitoring at least one characteristic of a signal produced in a telecommunication device that is directly or indirectly indicative of a volume of a user's voice spoken into the device;    selecting at least one threshold value for said characteristic that corresponds with a desired maximum or minimum volume level of said user's voice;    automatically comparing said characteristic to said at least one threshold to determine if said characteristic is within a desired range defined by said at least one threshold;    responsive to said monitoring step, automatically alerting said user of said device when said characteristic is outside said desired range by generating at least one of an audible tone, a tactile sensation and a visual indication.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising repeating said alerting step on a periodic basis until said characteristic is within said desired range.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said audible tone is communicated to said user through an ear piece of said mobile telecommunications device.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said tactile sensation is produced by vibrating said mobile telecommunication device.